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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rosita Youngblood |
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Youngblood heads task force for Haiti relief
HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood, D-Phila., has teamed up with other elected women from U.S. cities with large Haitian populations to launch the National Foundation for Women Legislators' Haiti Relief Task Force in light of the catastrophic earthquake that has devastated the country.
The NFWL Haiti Relief Task Force, headed by Youngblood, Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Florida state Rep. Yolly Roberson, Texas state Rep. Helen Giddings and New York state Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, aims to streamline communications, identify swift and direct methods of delivery for needed supplies, and implement long-term strategies to ensure stability as Haiti rebuilds.
Members of the task force have been reaching out to corporations and organizations within their own communities requesting donations of much-needed supplies. Representing communities with large Haitian populations, the group of elected women has been reaching out to local organizations and churches that have close ties to Haiti, as well as local hospitals that have been assisting in the relief effort to identify delivery mechanisms other than relying solely on the U.S. military operation.
"The Unites States government, military and citizens have stepped up to the plate and provided much-needed aid to the people of Haiti in the wake of this terrible tragedy," Youngblood said. "The NFWL Haiti Relief Task Force is banding together to mobilize efforts locally, break through red tape and get supplies directly to earthquake victims as quickly as possible."
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